Regresar

Growth and root morphology in two sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) genotypes subject to salinization with simple salts or calcium supply salts

Abstract:

Soil salinity has been increasing in those dedicated to sugar cane cultivation; however, little information is available about the mechanisms related to salt tolerance of this crop. The influence of NaCl or Na2SO4 salinization, with or without additional calcium supply, on plant growth and root morphology of two sugar cane genotypes differing in salt sensitivity was studied, in order to know the more toxic ion to this crop and identify features related with differential salinity tolerance in this crop. The plants grew four months in an environment controlled growth chamber, and during the last two months they were subjected to salt stress. In both genotypes, root growth was more affected by salinity than shoot growth, NaCl was more toxic than Na2SO4, and additional calcium supply to simple salts had little beneficial effect on salt response. Under saline conditions, PR692176 showed higher relative leaf expansion rate, number of tillers per plant, root to shoot ratio, root length and root surface per volume of substrate, than V78-1. These results suggest that salt tolerance in sugarcane is related to a higher capacity to dilute the salts transported to the shoots, in addition to a higher ability to explore the growth substrate.